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Repaving projects that began Monday on Kalanianaole Hwy. in East Oahu and Kamehameha Hwy. in Miliani mean lane closures and headaches for drivers.

But the work on Kamehameha Hwy. is an added headache for the community, with drivers dealing with other projects in the area.

“This is one of two major projects starting today,” said Jadine Urasaki, deputy director of projects for the Hawaii Dept. of Transportation. “This is one of six major projects that we have going on on Oahu.”

Kamehameha Hwy. hasn’t seen a major re-surfacing since 1991.

“It hasn’t been repaved for a very long time,” said Urasaki. “Some areas 15 to 20 years some areas 30 years old. so again part of our preserving, improving and rebuilding of our infrastructure.”

The $13.3 million project will repair approximately 3.28 miles of roadway along the highway from Ka Uka Blvd to Waihau St. Road work will primarily be done between 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

So when can motorists expect work to begin?

The state will also be repaving Vineyard Blvd. in the west-bound direction from Palama to Halona sts. Crews will have to close two lanes from 8:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday through Wednesday. Full closures of the H-1 Freeway will also continue in the area as the state finishes its Rehab project.

“Right now, for the first couple of weeks, they’ll be doing prep work on the bus pads so there will be some lane closures in the north-bound direction, but it will be limited to certain areas,” said Caroline Sluyter, public information officer with the Hawaii Dept. of Transportation.

The state’s project will also be going on at the same time as the city’s repavement project on Meheula Pkwy.

“The first reaction I had was oh my gosh, traffic is already bad here and this will make it even worse,” said driver Mitchell Parris.

Other drivers agreed. “It’s hard to imagine how it might impact things, even the street I live on is being resurfaced right now and it takes 20 extra minutes to get to the top of the hill,” said Nancy Okimoto.

For motorists though there is some good news.

“The good thing is that we have the same contractor for this project and that project,” said Sluyter, who says officials are working closely with the contractor to make sure the project on Kamehameha Hwy. and Meheula Pkwy. don’t intersect.

The project is funded with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds.